£2 Million Funding for Environmental Projects

Funding of £2 million to help communities affected by pollution to improve their environment was announced today. Environment Minister Michael Russell announced the successful applicants to the Environmental Justice Fund during a visit to Falkirk.

The area has received the largest award of £486,000 to regenerate four key woodland sites around South Falkirk, improve wildlife habitats and upgrade paths.

Speaking from one of the community woodland sites, Mr Russell said:

"This fund is designed to help communities across Scotland who have previously suffered negative environmental impacts from industry, pollution or other damaging activities, to boost their quality of life through restoring habitats.

"Community action can make a real difference in improving environments and changing attitudes. This fund supports our objective of creating a Greener Scotland - by improving Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it."

ENDS

Other projects to be funded through the programme include upgrading of the Union Canal between Bowling and Clydebank, riverside projects in Ayrshire and Perthshire, playpark and recreational projects at Forfar, Wester Hailes in Edinburgh and in Lanarkshire, and the "Delivering our Future" programme to encourage environmental volunteering across Scotland.

The Environmental Justice Fund scheme is administered by Forward Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Executive.

Awards of grants under the fund range from £100,000 up to a maximum of £500,000. Ten grants have been approved as follows:

• Forfar Skatepark (Forfar Wheeled Sports Association) £143,004. Creation of a new skatepark facility at Lochside Country Park, a former landfill site, to encourage local young people to become more involved in physical activity and provide space for coaching and competitions
• Union Canal, Clydebank (The Waterways Trust) £100,000. Animating the Canal - a regeneration project to improve access, signage and seating, and improve the appearance of the canal side environment
• River Ayr Hatchery and Environmental Education Centre (Catrine Community Trust) £217,655. Proposal to establish a trout and grayling hatchery on the River Ayr as part of a larger environmental heritage project to enhance the biodiversity of the area alongside an education centre to promote local natural history
• White House Recreation Park, Lanarkshire (Forth and District Initiative) £235,725. Phase two of a project to upgrade the park's facilities by addressing drainage problems, upgrading red ash running track and path network for multi-purpose needs and installing spectator seating
• Sustainable Greengairs (EBS on behalf of Greengairs Community Council) £225,000. Proposals to develop a programme of projects including an outdoor pitch, multi-use games area, picnic and play site, extensions to the park and footpath network to regenerate the local area
• South Falkirk Environmental Action Plan (Falkirk Council) £485,963. Regeneration of four key woodland sites around South Falkirk to create a network of woodland and other wildlife habitats with good quality paths
• Hailes Quarry Park Community Greenspace (Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust) £136,341. Phase two of proposals to transform a former quarry site into a safe, accessible and multi-functional park by improving habitat and biodiversity through a wildflower meadow, vegetation management and scrub clearance, creating a new play area and improving links with a local canal
• Riverside Path linking Aberfeldy to Kenmore (Upper Tay Group) £127,100. The project involves creating a multi-way path with signage and interpretation material along the riverside, linking small communities and providing a safer alternative to a busy transport route
• Hattonrigg Learn & Play Project, Bellshill (North Lanarkshire Council) £150,000 The project aims to transform a large area of open space into a dynamic new educational, leisure and play facility for use by schools and the local community
• Delivering our Future environmental volunteering programme (BCTV Scotland) £179,912. A Scotland-wide initiative to improve quality of life and opportunities through a themed environmental volunteering programme

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